Dimitri Patterson while a member of the Miami Dolphins last year. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Cornerback Dimitri Patterson is entering his tenth year in the NFL and it will be his first with the NY Jets. The departures of Antonia Cromartie and Darrelle Revis left the Jets with a group of young guys in their secondary last year, so Rex Ryan looked to add a veteran presence this offseason. Patterson has had quality starting roles on multiple teams over the years, including most recently the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles.

In his nine NFL seasons since being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2005 by the Washington Redskins, he has amassed 176 tackles, 35 passes defended and 9 interceptions. However, most people have noticed a trend with Dimitri, he never seems to be able to stay healthy or able to play consistently for an entire 16 game season.

Dimitri Patterson had this to say to Randy Lange, Editor-in-Chief of newyorkjets.com;

Throughout my career, I have not been injury-prone. The last two years, yeah, I have had some unfortunate injuries, but that’s just the reality of this beast — you’re going to get hurt. But at the end of the day, they have researched what I’ve had, they’ve seen that these injuries are nothing that are skill-diminishing, because that’s the most important thing. … That’s why I’m here right now.

Patterson will have to prove that his injuries have not caused any long term affects and that he can keep up with the young guys in Kyle Wilson, Dexter McCougle, and Dee Millner. It looks like Rex Ryan will have a couple of potential lock down corners in his secondary this year. He will need them all to really improve this year if they NY Jets want to try and dethrone the New England Patriots as the AFC East Champions.